Death & Dying
Were I a king, I might command content
From Lyrics from the Song-Books of the Elizabethan Age, ed. A. H. Bullen (London: Nimmo, 1891)
Were I a king, I might command content;
Were I obscure, unknown should be my cares:
And were I dead, no thoughts should me torment,
Nor words, nor wrongs, nor loves, nor hopes, nor fears.
A doubtful choice, of three things one to crave;
A kingdom, or a cottage, or a grave.
Codex Note
From John Mundy's Songs and Psalms, 1594.
Cite this poem
MLA
Anonymous (Elizabethan songs). “Were I a king, I might command content.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-elizabethan-songs/166/.
Chicago
Anonymous (Elizabethan songs). “Were I a king, I might command content.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-elizabethan-songs/166/.
Read this poem with the Codex →